In my next column, I plan to highlight some more activity going on in our North Carolina Legislature, such as moving education into the marketplace and getting a handle on its enormous cost. There is also a lot going on in the effort to reform our tax system and I want to share that with you, as well.

These are indeed exciting times in which we in North Carolina live. But today, I am philosophically inclined — and I am going to share some thoughts about life with you and how swiftly it passes.

A few years ago, I watched George Burns — actor, comedian, dancer and singer — step onto a stage in Nashville and sing, “I Wish I was 18 Again” to a packed house. His rendition of this song was particularly poignant since he was in his 92nd year of life and there was deep emotion in his voice.

I thought of that occasion when I received an email this week from Mildred Contrearas entitled, “And Then It Is Winter.” Here is some of what she said, which I will paraphrase and then add some thoughts of my own:

“You know time has a way of moving quickly and catching us unaware of the passing years. It seems that just yesterday I was young, just married and embarking on a new life.

“Yet in a way it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

“But here it is … the winter of my life, and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that they were years away from me. I could not imagine fully what it would be like.

“But here it is … many of my friends are retired, and they are not like the ones I remember who were young and vibrant. We are not those older folks that we used to see and thought we would never be.

“But though the winter has come, and I’m not sure how long it will last, this I know, that when it’s over on earth, a new adventure will begin!

“There are things I wish I hadn’t done, and things I should have done, but it’s all in a lifetime. So if you’re not in your winter yet, just know that it will be here faster than you think.

“So whatever you would like to accomplish in life, do it quickly, because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not. Say all the things you want your loved ones to remember, and tell them how much you love and appreciate them for all the things they have done for you over the years.”

Page 2 of 2 - For some parting thoughts: Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, yet the youngest you’ll ever be. Many of the things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don’t care to do them anymore.

You tend to use more four-letter words like, “what?” and “when?” You miss the days when everything worked with just an “on” or “off” switch.

But “old” is good in some things: Old songs, Old movies and best of all, Old friends.

And finally, let’s remember that life is a gift to us. The way we live it is our gift to those who come after us. It’s not what we gather, but what we scatter that tells what kind of life we have lived.

Have a wondrous day!

Reece Gardner is the host of “The Reece Gardner Hour,” which airs on TACC-9 on Mondays at 9 p.m., Tuesdays at 8 p.m., Thursdays at 11 p.m., Sundays at 10:30 p.m. and on-demand anytime at TACC9.com. You can reach Reece at rbgej@aol.com.